Wrap System

ABSTRACT

An embodiment includes a reusable gift wrapping system comprising fabric, a cord circumnavigating the outer border portion of the fabric; and a fastening member coupled to the cord. In an open position the fabric lies flat within a single plane and is unfolded. In a closed position the fabric is configured to enclose an object, does not lie flat within the single plane, and is folded. The fabric transitions from the open position to the closed position in response to a user pulling the cord away from the longitudinal axis. The fabric maintains the closed position in response to the user cinching the cord with the fastening member without having to tie the cord to secure the object within the portion of fabric. Other embodiments are described herein.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/491,988 filed on Jun. 1, 2011 and entitled “Wrap System”, thecontent of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

There has been little innovation in the wrapping paper industry. Whilegift bags exist, they are often rigid, refuse to lay flat when stored,and stay closed only with use of Velcro or a tied ribbon. Furthermore,the gift bags result in unwrapping that is too quick, lacking surpriseand cutting short the gift-giving experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention willbecome apparent from the appended claims, the following detaileddescription of one or more example embodiments, and the correspondingfigures:

FIG. 1 includes an embodiment of the invention in the open position.

FIG. 2 includes an embodiment of the invention in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth.However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may bepracticed without these specific details. Well-known structures andtechniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring anunderstanding of this description. References to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “example embodiment”, “various embodiments” and the likeindicate the embodiment(s) so described may include particular features,structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment necessarilyincludes the particular features, structures, or characteristics.Further, some embodiments may have some, all, or none of the featuresdescribed for other embodiments. Also, as used herein “first”, “second”,“third” describe a common object and indicate that different instancesof like objects are being referred to. Such adjectives are not intendedto imply the objects so described must be in a given sequence, eithertemporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Also, theterms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may beused. In particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicatethat two or more elements are in direct physical contact with each otherand “coupled” may mean that two or more elements co-operate or interactwith each other, but they may or may not be in direct physical contact.

An embodiment includes a reusable gift wrapping system comprisingfabric, a cord circumnavigating the outer border portion of the fabric;and a fastening member coupled to the cord. In an open position thefabric lies flat within a single plane and is unfolded. In a closedposition the fabric is configured to enclose an object, does not lieflat within the single plane, and is folded. The fabric transitions fromthe open position to the closed position in response to a user pullingthe cord away from the longitudinal axis. The fabric maintains theclosed position in response to the user cinching the cord with thefastening member without having to tie the cord to secure the objectwithin the portion of fabric.

An embodiment includes using fabric with an integrated closure systemthat is environmentally friendly and results in improved gift giving.Reusing the wrap system to wrap another gift (or for some other purpose)means the system stays out of the landfill (unlike most expendablewrapping paper). Embodiments come in a variety of sizes and can be usedfor presents of varying sizes and shapes. Embodiments can be used aspurses, bags, hats, plant holder covers, picnic blankets, sports bags,camping bags, beach towels, laundry bags, tarps for covering equipment(e.g., functions as an upside down wrap system where a protectivecovering is, for example, on the outside to protect equipment fromweather), travel bag, shoe bag, product wrap bag for companies wantingto reduce waste, drop cloth for house projects (e.g., painting andplastering), produce bag, and the like. Embodiments may be used towrap/enclose (fully or partially), for example, books, gift cards, food,large items (e.g., cars), environmental waste (e.g., leaves, grassclippings), wine bottles, shoes and the like.

FIG. 1 includes an embodiment of the invention in the open position.FIG. 2 includes the embodiment in the closed position. 100 seriesnumbers are used in FIG. 1 and correspond to 200 series numbers in FIG.2. Both figures are referred to below.

Reusable gift wrapping system 100 comprises a flat fabric portion 105having a top surface (visible in FIG. 1), a bottom surface (not visiblein FIG. 1), a centrally located longitudinal axis 130, and an outerborder portion. Cord 115 circumnavigates the outer border portion (i.e.,goes completely, or almost completely, around the border of fabric 105).Fabric portion 105 may be monolithic and thereby composed of a singlepiece of fabric. (This is not to say a monolithic fabric piece cannot beadorned with cosmetic piping fabric along it edge and the like.) System100 may include a fastening member (not visible in FIG. 1 but visible asmember 240 in FIG. 2) coupled to cord 115. In an open position (as seenin FIG. 1) the portion of fabric 105 lies flat within a single planeorthogonal to longitudinal axis 130. Fabric 105 is unfolded such that novertical axis parallel to the longitudinal axis intersects the bottomsurface more than once.

However, as seen in FIG. 2, in a closed position the portion of fabric205 is configured to enclose an object (object 120 of FIG. 1). Fabric205 does not lie flat within a single plane. For example, fabric 105primarily lies within a single two dimensional horizontal plane inFIG. 1. Of course “two dimensional” and “horizontal plane” are not to betaken literally as a wrapping system (e.g., gift wrapping system) in thephysical world obviously has a component in the vertical plane (albeit arelatively thin one). In FIG. 2 system 200 now is “three dimensional”and is not limited to the horizontal plane and extends into the verticaldimension.

In FIG. 2 system 200 is folded (i.e., has folds) such that linear axisor reference line 230 intersects bottom surface 246 more than once. Forexample, axis 230 intersects bottom surface 246 at locations 231 and232. (Locations 231, 232 are not actual apertures or the like and areshown to merely illustrate the point that an imaginary reference linesuch as line 230 would intersect the bottom surface at variouslocations.) For that matter, axis 230 also contacts top surface 245 atlocations complementary to location 231 and 232.

System 200 transitions from the open position (FIG. 1) to the closedposition (FIG. 2) in response to a user pulling cord 215 away fromlongitudinal axis 230. For example, fabric 205 transitions from the openposition to the closed position in response to the user pulling the cordaway from longitudinal axis 230 in a single movement and at a constantangle away from the longitudinal axis. The movement may be along, forexample, line 225. Thus, system 200 includes an integrated closuresystem (see, e.g., cord 215) so that with one simple pull in thedirection of line 225 fabric 205 wraps up around item 120. This isadvantageous over complicated folding schemes associated with priorreusable gift wrap systems. No scissors, tape, or tying is needed withvarious embodiments such as the embodiment of FIG. 2.

As mentioned above, fabric 205 transitions from the open position to theclosed position in response to the user pulling the cord away fromlongitudinal axis 230 in a single movement and at a constant angle awayfrom the longitudinal axis. This single movement may coincide with auser sliding cord 215 (one or both ends of cord 215) through fastener240. Fastener may be maintained in one location during this. However, inone embodiment the fastener is for maintaining closure while pullingcord 215 is for closing the system.

System 200 maintains the closed position in response to the usercinching the cord 215 with fastening member 240 (without having to tiecord 215 to secure object 120 within the fabric 205 of system 200).Fastening member may be, in one embodiment, a toggle (i.e., cinch clamp)that holds cinched ribbon 215 in place. A toggle includes a fastenerthat securely fastens laces, lanyards, ties, cords and the like yetallows for easy unfastening (see, e.g., Cinch-Clamp™ fasteners atwww_gadjets.com/Cinch-Clamp_htm). Of course fasteners are not so limitedand may include simple systems such as a bead with an aperture sizedsuch that two lengths of cord 215 passing through the aperture provide aresistance fit that maintains the cord lengths, and hence system 200, ina closed position. Cord 215 may then be tied in a bow if the user sodesires but doing so is not necessarily needed in embodiments includinga toggle.

In an embodiment a cord passes through an aperture (such as aperture 210or an aperture from which a drawstring emerges, etc.) included in thefabric and passes through a fastening member such as a toggle. When thecord passes through the aperture and the fastening member the cord,fabric, and fastening member form an integrated unit in the open andclosed positions and when the fabric transitions from the open positionto the closed position. In contrast, simple conventional bags require auser to tie a cord around the top of the closed bag. The cord is not anintegrated unit with the fabric. Thus, such cords are easy to mishandleand are difficult for some users to tie, such as the elderly, disabled(e.g., those with arthritic hands), and the like. Thus, when assembledthe fabric, cord, and the fastening member are fixedly coupled to oneanother in that they do not easily come apart short of (see FIG. 1 foran example) withdrawing the cord from the fastening member and thefabric.

In an embodiment cord 115 is interweaved through apertures 110 (onlysome of which are labeled in FIGS. 1 and 2) included in the outer borderportion of fabric 105. Aperture 100 may include a grommet with a metalcasing tracing the outer perimeter of the aperture. However, aperture110 may be a simple hole, slit, or void included in fabric 105. In otherembodiments, cord 115 may be included in a closed channel located withinfabric 105 (e.g. similar to a drawstring of men's swimwear). In anembodiment cord 115 includes at least one of a string, ribbon, rope,twine, strand, belt, chain, ligature, sash, scarf, tie, and strap. In anembodiment fabric 105 includes at least one of a cloth, textile, andmaterial including fibers (e.g., polyester). Other materials may be usedsuch as an extruded material (e.g., extruded polytetrafluoroethylene),polyester, paper, non-woven materials, and the like. In an embodimentsystem 100 includes no additional cords beyond cord 115, therebysimplifying the system.

In an embodiment fabric (e.g., fabric 105) is pliable and includes nopreformed axis of rotation upon which a first subportion of the fabricfolds towards a second subportion of the fabric. Thus, system 100differs from conventional systems such as a cardboard gift box that maylay flat in one configuration but which includes preformed axes ofrotation/folding thereby locking the user into predefined shapes for thesystem.

In one embodiment the ribbon may interweave through apertures inset fromthe outer perimeter of the wrap fabric, but other embodiments mayinclude the ribbon located at the outermost perimeter of the system(e.g., on the absolute edge of the fabric). Also, a ribbon or cable maynot interweave in and out and through the system but may instead be in aprimarily enclosed channel (e.g., similar to a drawstring in a pair ofmen's shorts). Embodiments need not have a circular border like FIG. 1but may instead include borders that are square, rectangular, ovular,and the like. Additional grommet holes such as aperture 135, 235 that donot include concern the enclosure system may allow for thepersonalization of the gift by attaching various accessories to the wrapsystem. The system may be reused by the receiver as a gift wrap systemor other embodiment, such as a travel bag. Embodiments are faster thanwrapping with traditional paper, tape, and ribbons. Also, embodimentsare easier to make a wrapped present look good (i.e., wrapping is notdependent upon good paper gift-wrapping skills). Embodiments may layflat when not in use and therefore be easy to store. Also, embodimentswear well and may even be cleaned if soiled. The system may bereversible to show different fabric patterns or finishes (e.g., soft,fuzzy, smooth, and silky, etc.). Such patterns may be customized toinclude photos or likeness of the user, the user's children, and thelike.

In one embodiment a reusable gift wrapping system comprises a flatportion of material and a strap included in an outer border portion ofthe material. In an open position the portion of material lies flatwithin a single plane and in a closed position the portion of materialis configured to enclose an object and does not lie flat within thesingle plane. The portion of material transitions from the open positionto the closed position in response to a user pulling the cord away fromthe longitudinal axis. In such an embodiment no fastener, such as atoggle, is used. For example, the strap may include two ends, both ofwhich are knotted after passing through an aperture of the fabric. Insuch a case the user may still close the system by pulling one of thetwo ends of the strap and may then maintain closure by tying the endstogether.

The strap may pass through an aperture included in the portion ofmaterial (e.g., an aperture through the material, a loop (similar to abelt loop on a pair of pants) coupled to the material, and the like),and when the cord passes through the aperture the cord and portion offabric form an integrated unit in the open and closed positions and whenthe portion of fabric transitions from the open position to the closedposition.

While the present invention has been described with respect to a limitednumber of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate numerousmodifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appendedclaims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of this present invention.

1. A reusable gift wrapping system comprising: a flat monolithic portionof fabric having a top surface, a bottom surface, a centrally locatedlongitudinal axis, and an outer border portion; a cord circumnavigatingthe outer border portion; and a fastening member coupled to the cord;wherein in an open position the portion of fabric lies flat within asingle plane, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and isunfolded such that no vertical axis parallel to the longitudinal axisintersects the bottom surface more than once; wherein in a closedposition the portion of fabric is configured to enclose an object, doesnot lie flat within the single plane, and is folded such that anadditional linear axis intersects the bottom surface more than once;wherein the portion of fabric transitions from the open position to theclosed position in response to a user pulling the cord away from thelongitudinal axis; wherein the portion of fabric maintains the closedposition in response to the user cinching the cord with the fasteningmember without having to tie the cord to secure the object within theportion of fabric.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the cord isinterweaved through a plurality of apertures included in the outerborder portion.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the cord includes atleast one of a string, ribbon, rope, twine, strand, belt, chain,ligature, lanyard, lace, sash, scarf, tie, and strap.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the fabric includes at least one of a cloth, textile,extruded material, and material including fibers.
 5. The system of claim1, wherein the portion of fabric transitions from the open position tothe closed position in response to the user pulling the cord away fromthe longitudinal axis in a single movement, and at a constant angle,away from the longitudinal axis.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein theportion of fabric is pliable and includes no preformed axis of rotationupon which a first subportion of the portion of fabric folds towards asecond subportion of the portion of fabric.
 7. The system of claim 1including no additional cord.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein (a) thecord passes through an aperture included in the portion of fabric andpasses through the fastening member, and (b) when the cord passesthrough the aperture and the fastening member the cord, portion offabric, and fastening member form an integrated unit in the open andclosed positions and when the portion of fabric transitions from theopen position to the closed position.
 9. The system of claim 1, theportion of fabric, the cord, and the fastening member are fixedlycoupled to one another.
 10. A reusable wrapping system comprising: aflat portion of material having a top surface, a bottom surface, acentrally located longitudinal axis, and an outer border portion; astrap included in the outer border portion; and wherein in an openposition the portion of material lies flat within a single plane, whichis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and is unfolded such that novertical axis parallel to the longitudinal axis intersects the bottomsurface more than once; wherein in a closed position the portion ofmaterial is configured to enclose an object and does not lie flat withinthe single plane; wherein the portion of material transitions from theopen position to the closed position in response to a user pulling thecord away from the longitudinal axis.
 11. The system of claim 10,wherein the portion of material includes at least one of a cloth,textile, fabric, extruded material, and material including fibers. 12.The system of claim 10, wherein the portion of material transitions fromthe open position to the closed position in response to the user pullingthe cord away from the longitudinal axis in a single movement, and at aconstant angle, away from the longitudinal axis.
 13. The system of claim10, wherein the portion of material is pliable and includes no preformedaxis of rotation upon which a first subportion of the portion ofmaterial folds towards a second subportion of the portion of material.14. The system of claim 10 including no additional strap.
 15. The systemof claim 10 wherein the cord is interweaved through a plurality ofapertures included in the outer border portion.
 16. The system of claim10, wherein the strap includes at least one of a string, ribbon, rope,twine, strand, belt, chain, ligature, lanyard, lace, sash, scarf, tie,and cord.
 17. The system of claim 10, wherein (a) the strap passesthrough an aperture included in the portion of material, and (b) whenthe cord passes through the aperture the cord and portion of fabric forman integrated unit in the open and closed positions and when the portionof fabric transitions from the open position to the closed position. 18.The system of claim 10, the portion of fabric and the strap are fixedlycoupled to one another.